Ep 1. Episode 1

Tommy and his wife Alison have a child named Joe who is autistic, but they are reluctant to accept or admit it to anyone. They go through a lot of denial before Joe's diagnosis is confirmed, and this takes a toll on their family. This is the first episode of The A Word, and it introduces us to the Hughes family.

We first meet Joe, who is a happy and playful 5-year-old. We then meet his parents Tommy and Alison, who run a pub in the Lake District. They are both in their early 30s and are very much in love. Tommy is a bit of a loudmouth and constantly cracks jokes, while Alison is more reserved. They have a close relationship with each other and their immediate family, but they are also very private.

Joe's extended family is also introduced in this episode. Tommy's parents Maurice and Louise come to visit from Manchester, along with their younger son Eddie. Alison's parents Paul and Sue live nearby, and they are welcoming and supportive of Joe. Her brother Eddie, on the other hand, is a bit of a wild card and has a strained relationship with Tommy.

At the beginning of the episode, we see Joe running through a field and enjoying the outdoors. He then joins his family at the pub, where he plays with his cousin. However, he has trouble communicating with others and often repeats the same words or phrases. This behavior is especially noticeable at dinner when he gets frustrated and starts banging his head on the table.

Later, Tommy takes Joe to the doctor to get him checked out. However, he is dismissive of the doctor's concerns and is insistent that nothing is wrong with Joe. This attitude is reflected by his family, who are also skeptical of the diagnosis. Tommy's father Maurice even goes so far as to say that Joe is just "a bit different" and that he will grow out of it.

As the episode progresses, we see Joe struggle in social situations and become easily overwhelmed by noise and crowds. Tommy and Alison continue to deny that there is anything wrong with him, which puts a strain on their marriage. Alison eventually decides to take matters into her own hands and takes Joe to see a specialist. The doctor confirms that Joe is autistic, and Alison breaks down in tears.

The episode ends with the family coming together to support Joe and each other. Tommy finally accepts Joe's diagnosis and begins to research autism in an effort to better understand his son. The family also gets together to celebrate Joe's fifth birthday, and it is clear that they are all invested in his well-being.

Overall, this first episode of The A Word is a poignant and realistic depiction of a family dealing with autism. It shows the struggles and challenges that families face when confronted with this diagnosis, as well as the importance of acceptance and support. The characters are well-developed, and the acting is excellent. This is a wonderful start to what promises to be a compelling series.